Computer-Assisted Learning in Professional Forestry Education at the University of New Brunswick

Abstract

The Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) experiences of the Department of Forest Resources at the University of New Brunswick are described. The paper defines the principal benefit of CAL as better students rather than better teaching and states that CAL has contributed to the former by enhancing learning in three important ways: (i) new subjects, not possible before, have been introduced; (ii) certain topics have been dealt with more often; (iii) the delivery of some subjects has been better managed. The paper continues with a discussion of three strategies that were successfully employed in implementing the CAL programme. These strategies are (1) the programme emphasized heuristic CAL activities: probelm-solving, self-discovery and "what-if" learning, as opposed to drill and tutorial exercises: (2) the programme was committed to developing and maintaining appropriate CAL infrastructure: a dedicated and fully equipped CAL laboratory, plus the ongoing support of a CAL specialist to assist and educate faculty in integrating and implementing CAL techniques and. avoid reliance upon imported, often inappropriate, courseware; (3) in a limited funding situation the programme deliberately traded microcomputer quality for quantity, thus maximizing number of students accommodated. The paper concludes with a description of several CAL examples taken from undergraduate courses currently offered at the Faculty of Forestry. Key words: computer-assisted learning, forestry education.